Chief Kizela welcomes new mine investors

CHIEF Kizela of the Kaonde people in Mufumbwe has said only the rightful owners that have been issued with a licence by the Ministry of Mines would be allowed to operate in his area.

The chief has also cautioned Kalengwa Copper and Gold Mining to exercise caution and vigilance in its mining activities as mining harms communities if not properly handled.

Chief Kizela has asked Government to assess how much damage has been caused to the environment and ensure that communities are properly informed about the potential benefits they will derive from the investor that has been issued with the mining rights.

Chief Kizela said the chiefdom would work with the government to effectively regulate the investor to be responsible to the community as it conducts its mining activities.

The chief said this in Lusaka yesterday at a media briefing. He however stated that his chiefdom would carry out due diligence on the investor to avoid a violation on the rights of the people during the mining operation and ensure that they put mitigating steps in place.

He is hoping that the investors would also carry out its social corporate responsibility by constructing some schools, health centres and also sinking of boreholes as well as to create employment opportunities for the Mufumbwe community.

He called on Minister of Mines Richard Musukwa to ensure that preventive measures are taken care of and all mining activities are planned and carried out in a way that did not violate the rights of the local community and to avoid displacements and disruption of livelihoods.

Chief Chizela also thanked Government for providing a lasting solution over Kalengwa mine ownership wrangle that has deprived the district of development for two decades.

Speaking at press briefing held at Chrismar hotel, the chief ’s representative said they will work with the investor who has mining rights at the mine and cautioned the investor to protect the rights of the local community.

Kalengwa Mineral Processing Limited has mining rights for the Mufumbwe mine which was contested in court by Euro Africa Kalengwa Mine in partnership with Moxico Resources Limited.

The mining licence for Euro Africa Kalengwe Mine expired though they continued to operate for three years.